How to Cut English Boxwood Bushes

English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is an evergreen shrub that can provide a creative focal point when pruned or cut into a desired shape. The shrub grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 8, where it reaches a mature size up to 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Pruning the English boxwood each year in late winter or early spring keeps the shrub healthy with lush foliage.

1

Wipe the blades of the pruning clipper or pruning shears with isopropyl alcohol before using them. Clean the blades between cuts when you suspect a branch may be diseased to prevent spreading to other shrubs.

2

Cut off the new growth after the boxwood goes through a flush of growth during its first two years of growth. This will promote strong and healthy branch development. Clip manually with a sharp pruning clipper or use an electric trimmer for an even cut.

3

Shear the tips of the boxwood once a year after the second year of growth to maintain the desired shape. Excessive removal of branch tips will stimulate new growth that may reduce the amount of light that enters the shrub.

4

Cut off unwanted branches when pruning the boxwood into a desired shape after two years of growth. Remove no more than 10 percent of the branches in one pruning session to prevent stressing the shrub.

5

Inspect the interior of older boxwood and cut out any branches that are preventing light from entering the inside of the shrub. This also opens up the shrub for air flow to help prevent disease and discourage pests.

6

Remove dead or damaged branches as a yearly maintenance step. Remove branches with signs of disease and discard.

About the Author

Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.